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The Illinois House Personnel and Pensions Committee passed Speaker Michael Madigan's plan 9-1 Wednesday. It will move to the floor for a vote and needs Senate approval too.

The 5-4 vote approving a controversial pension bill in an Illinois House committee Tuesday night didn’t seem to surprise the standing room-only crowd.But the debate gave labor leaders and lawmakers their first chance in months to toss verbal jabs.The bill would require current state workers, teacher

Right or wrong, there's a perception that Illinois politics is a game played best by a well-connected few. This next story won't improve that image.Some of the state's political insiders make big money by lobbying the politicians they help elect.

An Illinois bill that could help tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants attend college is a step closer to becoming law.

Chicago’s most powerful politicians are lining up behind Illinois and federal bills that would give some undocumented immigrants a boost.

There’s no disputing the numbers: Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel had an overwhelming victory in an election that – while not quite as big as had been anticipated – brought a higher percentage of registered voters to the polls than any other municipal campaign since 1995.

The Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives thinks the General Assembly could allow civil unions for gay couples.Democrat Michael Madigan gave his predictions about what might happen during the remainder of the fall veto session. "I just say that based on my conversations with man